Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, joined Breast Cancer Now in Parliament recently to show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.
Now in its 24th year, ‘wear it pink’ has raised over £43 million since it began in 2001, funding lifesaving research and life-changing support for anyone affected by breast cancer across the UK. This year’s Westminster event, sponsored by Baroness Delyth Morgan, focused on improving the experiences of people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and brought together MPs from across the UK to hear directly from people living with the incurable disease.
Three women living with secondary breast cancer were in attendance to share their personal experience of diagnosis, treatment and support with MPs.
Breast Cancer Now is calling on the UK government to ensure accurate data is collected on people living with secondary breast cancer to enable the NHS to plan how to provide vital services, treatment and care.
Attendees also heard about the charity’s current More Time to Live campaign, which is calling for urgent change to the system for deciding which drugs are made available on the NHS in England to ensure everyone living with secondary breast cancer can access the drugs they need to stay alive.[1]
This is not the first time Dr Hudson has championed the needs of those affected by breast cancer and cancers of all kinds. He attended Breast Cancer Now’s event promoting their More Time to Live campaign back in July, and has supported efforts to pioneer better diagnostics, research and treatment for cancer, teaming up with Cancer Research UK on World Cancer Day earlier this year.
Locally, he has spearheaded improvements for his constituents in Epping Forest by ensuring the go-ahead for a Community Diagnostics Centre in St Margaret’s Hospital Epping, which the previous Conservative Government committed to, after it was at risk under the Labour Government’s review of approved spending programmes. The new centre will open in January and will ensure faster diagnostics for those affected by cancer and a range of illnesses.
Following the event, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“I was really pleased to join Breast Cancer Now in Parliament at their event supporting people affected by breast cancer.
“The event was a powerful reminder that there is work to be done to better support people living with this devastating disease across the UK.
“I am pleased that people here in Epping Forest will have access to faster diagnostics with our new Community Diagnostic Centre opening at St Margaret’s early next year, but there is still much more to do, and I will work as hard as possible to champion improvements.”
Helen Dickens, Chief Support Officer, Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We’re so grateful to Dr Neil Hudson MP for joining us in Westminster to show his support for people affected by breast cancer.
“This year, we’ve been proud to champion our More Time to Live campaign, calling for action to help ensure that life-extending treatments are available for people living with incurable secondary breast cancer. It’s unacceptable that women are being denied drugs that could give them precious extra time with loved ones.
“We’d also like to thank everyone who took part in Wear It Pink throughout October. Your incredible support helps fund our lifesaving research and life-changing support services. Together, we will strive towards our bold ambition that, by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live and live well.”
